CPR/AED Implementation Senate Bill 23-023

Information Regarding SENATE BILL 23-023 CPR and AED in Schools

Implementation of SENATE BILL 23-023 legislation highly encourages schools to implement cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator instruction in grades 9 through 12.

The legislation state that: The comprehensive health education curriculum guidelines develop by CDE must include a training and education program included on the list maintained by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of Cardiac Arrest management pursuant to section 25-53-202, and the instruction must:

(a) incorporate the psychomotor skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and

(b) use an automated external defibrillator.

(II) all schools that provide instruction in grades nine through twelve are strongly encouraged to implement the curriculum identified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of Cardiac Arrest.

(2) as used in this section, "psychomotor skills" means skills using hands-on practice to support cognitive learning.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of Cardiac Arrest Management is currently creating a list of programs aligned with the instructional requirements. Anticipated to be available in the Fall of 2023. More information can be found at savealifeco | CARDIAC ARRES

Implementation Considerations:

Partnerships supporting direct instruction.

Schools may consider several ways to implement this legislation at the local level. Consider how partnerships with local emergency services, non-profit organizations, or institutions of higher education might provide direct instruction to students. Organizations who can provide direct instruction with the supervision of a licensed educator should be vetted by local schools/district/or BOCES (Boards of Cooperative Educational Service) to determine that trainers are certified and can provide high quality instruction aligned with the legislation. Some organizations to consider for direct instruction:

Local emergency services: local fire and rescue services, police, hospitals, or emergency transportation services may be able to partner with you to provide hands-on instruction in CPR and AED. Consider what local services are available in your community. For example, the West Metro Fire Department is partnering with Jefferson County Schools to provide instruction in CPR and AED to high school students during health and physical education classes.

Non-profit organizations: A number of non-profit organizations from across the state may be able to provide CPR and AED instruction to students. For example, some schools have partnered with the local providers such as the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or organizations such as Starting Hearts Program to provide instruction in classrooms.

Institutes of Higher Education: Local institutes of higher education may have programs that may be able to provide instruction for students. For example, Colorado Northwestern Community College offers customized trainings in CPR and AED for a wide variety of community members in their area.

Build Internal Capacity

Schools may also consider how they can build internal capacity of educators or other school staff to teach CPR and AED. Consider who in your school may be leveraged to support teaching CPR, physical or health education teachers, school nurses, counselors, social workers, school safety resources officers, or other knowledgeable community members. National and state organizations can provide training and curriculum to school staff in how to instruct students in CPR and AED. Consider supporting a train the trainer model, where a staff member is a certified instructor trainer, who can train others to be instructors in CPR and AED. Although teachers are not required to be certified CPR and AED instructors, it is recommended that they have adequate training on proper techniques and procedures for CPR and AED instruction. A number of organizations can provide training of instructors in CPR and AED.

Non-profit organizations: Organizations such as the American Red Cross, and the American Heart Association can provide instructor certification. Online and hybrid classes are available through various training providers.

District may consider budgeting for training, CPR manikins and equipment that can be shared across districts.

CDPHE CPR Programs Registry

If you are a CPR/AED training provider you can complete the registry form at CPR Training | savealifeco.

Additional Resources

Program Resources:

Frequently Asked Questions:

If you have questions, please contact:

James Hurley, PhD

Health and Physical Education Consultant

Hurley_j@cde.state.co.us

Disclaimer: The Colorado Department of Education does not endorse, or recommend any specific programs noted above. These are only examples of what some schools and districts have done across the state. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of Cardiac Arrest Management is currently creating a list of programs aligned with the instructional requirements. Anticipated to be available in the Fall of 2023.

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